OWC Envoy SSD Review: Blazing Fast, Ultra-Portable, and Built to Last

OWC Envoy SSD Review

Cute. Cute in an aerospace if it could be held in the palm of your hand, kind of cute. I used to work in aerospace, and I watched huge blocks of aluminum honed into casings for weapons systems. The housing on the OWC Envoy SSD looks like those machines either kept going or Pym Particles clobbered the final product.

The OWC Envoy SSD comes Apple-ready, formatted for Macs and easily connected to the latest iPhones or iPad via USB-C. Windows users will need to reformat, but once done, the Envoy works with equal grace on Windows and Linux. It also works with Chrome books and other devices, like USB-C-enabled cameras.

Specifications

Capacity

• 960GB Useable Capacity
• Total Capacity: 1024GB
• 64GB Allocated to real-time data redundancy and error correction

Drive Mechanism

• 1.0TB OWC Aura Pro IV PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 2242 Solid-State Drive (OWC reserves the right to replace or upgrade to equivalent or better components.)

Drive Format

• APFS for Mac and iPad systems
• Windows, Chrome, and Android users will need to consult the OWC Drive Setup for Windows, Chrome, and Android Platforms formatting instructions.

The 1TB version runs $149.99. The 2TB is priced at $279.99.

Packed in an environmentally friendly all-cardboard box.

Pros

• High-speed data transfer, exceeding 1000MB/s.
• Universal compatibility with USB-C, USB4, and Thunderbolt (USB-C) devices.
• Portable and durable design due to its small size and aircraft-grade aluminum housing.
• Bus-powered, eliminating the need for an external power source.
• Robust build quality that protects the internal components and helps to prevent thermal throttling.
• High-quality USB-C cable that supports 60W power delivery and speeds up to 20 Gb/s.
• Includes OWC Drive Guide software for easy formatting.
• Compatible with OWC Copy That Mobile app for easy transfer of photos and videos from iPhone or iPad.
• Supports built-in encryption on macOS and Windows.
• Backed by a 3-year OWC Limited Warranty.

Cons

• Limited storage capacity: The maximum capacity of the OWC Envoy SSD is 2TB, which may not be enough for users with extensive storage needs like large video libraries or archives.
• Requires reformatting for Windows: The drive comes pre-formatted in APFS for Mac users, meaning Windows users will need to reformat it before use. While OWC provides a free utility, it can be an extra step for some users.
• Lack of advanced security features: While the drive supports OS-level encryption, it does not have advanced security features such as fingerprint recognition or hardware encryption that some users might require.

The OWC Envoy 1TB is a small but mighty portable SSD that stands out for its blend of high performance and rugged design. Housed in sleek aircraft-grade aluminum, the Envoy immediately impresses with its build quality. This feature serves not just aesthetics but also functionality, as the metal casing effectively dissipates heat, preventing the performance throttling that can plague smaller drives. This is particularly important for users who push their drives hard, such as creative professionals editing videos, photos, or audio on the go.

The Envoy’s technical specifications are equally impressive. It boasts NVMe M.2 technology and a USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface, enabling data transfer speeds exceeding 1000MB/s. This speed was confirmed in benchmark tests conducted by TechRadar, where the Envoy achieved read speeds of 1036.84MB/s and write speeds of 1041.76MB/s using CrystalDiskMark on an Intel NUC. The drive’s performance is ideal for real-world scenarios like handling 4K RAW video editing in Final Cut Pro X or ProRes recording on an iPhone 16 Pro.

The OWC Envoy SSD arrives pre-formatted with Apple File System (APFS), making it plug-and-play ready for Mac users. Windows users will need to reformat it. OWC provides a free utility called Drive Guide for this purpose, or users can opt for their preferred formatting software.

Despite its many strengths, the OWC Envoy SSD does have a couple of limitations. The maximum capacity of 2TB may not be sufficient for users with large storage needs. Additionally, while the drive supports encryption through macOS and Windows, it lacks more advanced security features like fingerprint recognition or hardware encryption.

OWC Envoy: The bottom line

The OWC Envoy 1TB is an excellent choice for users seeking a high-performance, portable SSD. Its robust build quality, impressive speed, and universal compatibility make it a versatile tool for various tasks. Whether you’re a creative professional editing multimedia content, a business user handling large files, or someone who values speed and reliability in a portable storage device, the OWC Envoy 1TB is worth considering.

OWC provided the OWC Envoy SSD for review. Images courtesy of OWC unless otherwise noted.

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